Tampa DUI Attorney Blog

This article was last updated on Thursday, January 25, 2018.

The attorneys at the Sammis Law Firm in Tampa, FL, represent clients throughout the greater Tampa Bay area on boating under the influence (BUI) charges. Visit our case results to learn more about a BUI case we recently took to trial in Pasco County.

We can help you decide what to do next after a BUI arrest. If you were accused of refusing to take the breath test – we can help you fight the $500 civil penalty in court within the first 30 days. We also fight the criminal accusation aggressively at every stage of the case.

We know all about the seated battery of field sobriety tests (FST) for the marine environment. These sobriety exercises include the palm pat and hand coordination test. The BUI investigating officers that administer the exercises often do it wrong and the results are totally unreliable even when they do it correctly.

When the case is fought aggressively, many of these BUI cases prosecuted in Hillsborough County, FL, are reduced to a civil infraction for “careless boating” or dismissed entirely. Because of the chaos of Gasparilla, poorly trained officers often conduct the investigations improperly.

Call 813-250-0500 to discuss your BUI case.

BUI Arrests During Gasparilla 2011

Although the media is reporting that only 4 people were arrested for BUI (boating under the influence) at Gasparilla 2011, the actual number appears to be much higher. In many of these cases, the Coast Guard was involved with the initial stop. The coast guard requested permission to board the watercraft to perform a safety boarding inspection.

The Coast Guard would then enter the boat to look for compliance with certain regulations including numbering, certificates, personal flotation devices, sound producing devices, bell, fire extinguisher, backfire flame control, ventilation, marine sanitation device, and visual distress signals.

During the boarding safety inspection, the Coast Guard boarding officer will also look for any evidence of negligent or gross negligent operation of the water vessel including intoxicated operation under 46 USC 2302(c). If the Coast Guard makes any observation of the operator possibly being under the influence of alcohol, then the Coast Guard boarding officer could request the operator perform field sobriety exercises.

In many of these cases, the Coast Guard turned the investigation over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement. The FFWCC would then request the subject submit to a breath test on the Intoxilyzer 8000. For some reason, the number of individuals who refuse the breath test after a BUI arrest is incredibly higher than after a DUI arrest in Hillsborough County, Florida.

If you were arrested for BUI in Hillsborough County, contact an experienced attorney at the Sammis Law Firm to fight your case. Our attorneys are available to give you an initial consultation over the phone before you schedule a free office consultation to discuss possible defenses to the charges. Boating under the influence (BUI) convictions come with serious consequences. Visit our main website for more information on
Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL, including penalties, punishments, consequences for the driver’s license, and possible defenses.

Contact a Tampa attorney for Boating under the Influence (BUI) to discuss any case in Hillsborough County or the surrounding areas of Pinellas County, Manatee County, or Pasco County, Florida.